3-month suspension imposed on driver whose SUV crashed into a QC bank

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Monday suspended for 90 days the driver’s license of the motorist whose Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) crashed into a bank in Quezon city.

The accident that happened on December 28 resulted in the death of one woman and injured six others.

In a statement, LTO also said it issued a show cause order (SCO) against the driver, identified as Edwin Balisong.

The agency is asking Balisong to explain in writing all the circumstances that led to the crash.

The order also demanded an explanation on why he should not be sanctioned for reckless driving and for violating Republic Act (RA) 4136, or the law titled Improper Person to Operate a Motor Vehicle.

The female registered owner of the SUV that Balisong was driving has also been issued a separate SCO.

Based on initial investigation, he was trying to reverse his vehicle when he bumped into another car.

When he tried to move forward, he seemed to have made a mistake and stepped on the accelerator pedal instead of the brake.

This move crashed the SUV into the bank in Barangay Pasong Putik.

The bank’s CCTV footage showed the vehicle ran over the victims twice.

LTO told Balisong and the registered owner to show up at its office in National Capital Region on January 10.

“Failure to appear and submit a notarized affidavit at the above-stated time, day, and place shall be construed as a waiver to be heard and controvert the allegations against you, leaving this Office to resolve the case administratively based on the available records,” the order stated.

LTO head Vigor Mendoza II said his agency’s actions are separate from the probe of Philippine National Police into the tragedy.